Rx for Facilities

A close-up look at healthcare

Contributors: James Earl

Healthcare with Hospitality
When one of the architecture firms noted among World Architecture magazine's "Top
10 Hotel Architects" signed on to design a long-term care center for seniors,
the phrase "retirement home" earned a new definition. The Concierge,
more of an upscale resort than a traditional nursing home, involved the ingenious
direction of Houston-based Morris Architects. The 89,000-square-foot, 96-room
facility offers residential appeal with round-the-clock care, boasting amenities
such as an ice cream parlor, 20-seat movie theater, beauty shop, and separate
pet kennel. The facility is designed in 24-room pods with each pod containing
its own dining room and living room, and was developed and operated by Concierge
Care Centers Inc. of Houston.

A Healthy Outlook for June Construction
Despite the large declines in construction starts reported in May, F.W. Dodge
has revealed a rebounding market, with contracting for new construction advancing
5 percent in June from a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $489.1 billion.
Also reported was an increase in nonresidential building, up 11 percent to $165.8
billion, according to the report.
May reports indicated a deflated healthcare market, down 31 percent. The recent
report dispels myths of a continuing slump with numbers that projected a healthier
June and healthcare facility construction starts that were up 14 percent. For
more information, visit www.construction.com.

A Hospital with a Mission
The boxy design and cold interiors synonymous with hospitals of the past are
giving way to attractive facilities that offer color and design in addition
to excellent care. St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus in Henderson, NV,
is a prime example. Designed by the 62-year-old, Dallas-based architectural
planning firm HKS, the facility is reminiscent of a Catholic Spanish Mission.
Designed and built to offer patient-focused care, the 350,000-square-foot St.
Rose Dominican Hospital includes both inpatient and outpatient services. To
increase the comfort of patients, many services are conducted at the bedside
- including diagnostic, therapeutic, administrative, and clinical tasks. Ready
to accommodate growth, the facility will someday support a 300-bed hospital.

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